As part of the series of conferences dedicated to the BRICs that the SciencesPo Alumni UK organise – in partnership with the French Institute in the UK – our second conference will attempt to discuss Russia’s future and possible future scenarios:
Russia 2020: What Scenarios for the Future?
15 years ago Russia was still one of the 15 republics among the grand USSR. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, in a rather smooth process, has raised many hopes and fears. After humiliation for losing its status and power and suffering deep economic and social crisis, Russia is back on the international stage and intends to restore its sphere of influence forcefully. Some already see a new cold war. Can Russia both sustain a policy of hegemonic power and become a stable Eurasian country? Does it have enough resources to match the current and the emerging world powers? How will Russia face the big challenges from within its territory and neighbouring countries?
The outcome of the forthcoming presidential election shouldn’t be a surprise. But in 2020, what will Russia look like? Will the ‘siloviki’ still pull the strings? Will Russia be willing to unlock its political system and give up its ‘guided’ democracy? Will the largest country in the world, with an ageing and declining population, be willing to modernize its economy and prepare for a ‘post-oil-era’? What would be the most plausible scenarios of Russia in 2020?
Dr. Roy Allison, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the London School of Economics is our first confirmed speaker. Dr. Allison will contemplate Russian Foreign Policy’s possible future.
Date: Thursday, 6 March 2008
Time: 19h30 – 21H00
Location: French Institute in London (see map), 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (Tube: South Kensington Station – Circle, District & Piccadilly lines)
Book your place now!
Email: box.office(at)ambafrance.org.uk
Entrance: £6
Posted by SciencesPo UK 
